Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The setting is 1779. The Captain of the Mendusa had orders to bring the ship to the Straits of Florida to patrol the coast to keep the French from landing and supplying arms. There wass no evidence that that ports in Florida was being used. It seemed like this patrol was nothing more than a punishment and Captain Okes and his crew would spend a lonely vigil on the seas. They spot a French frigate in battle with another smaller ship. The capture of the frigate would promote the Mendusa in the annuals of History.

They were victorious. The few survivors included a Negro slave and a boy of about 10 yrs old with a severe head injury. The slave was unable to talk and was like a caretaker to the young lad. Repairing the frigate second lieutenant Donlan, was put on board as the Captain. His mission was to deliver the ship and the boy to the Admiral in Antigua.

Ride along on a high seas adventure as Captain Donlan tries to get the ship and passenger’s to the safety of Antigua. He fights off traitors, spies and the French Captain who wants the boy. He captures a beautiful woman on a sloop. I have read both of C.S. Foresters Books Commodore Horn blower and Lieutenant Hornblower and I place this book right up there with both of them. This was an enjoyable read, a tale set in the Caribbean Sea during the American Revolution.